Greenville Co. boy who fell down well released from hospital

Rescuers respond to the home where the boy fell into the well. (Jan. 21, 2014/FOX Carolina)

A look down the well. (Jan. 22, 2014/FOX Carolina)

The 11-year-old boy who fell 140 feet into a well was rescued on Tuesday night. (Jan. 21, 2014/FOX Carolina)

GREENVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) -

A child who fell into a well on Tuesday night and was rescued was released from the hospital Wednesday evening.

Lt. Tim Ridgeway of the Greenville County Sheriff's Office said the 11-year-old boy fell more than 140 feet down into the well, which was located on the back porch of a vacant home on Fews Chapel Road at Highway 101 in Greer. Ridgeway said the boy suffered a broken arm and some signs of hypothermia because he was in chest-deep water.

Larry Lindsey, 12, said that he and his friend, Emery Howard, were exploring around the house and on the porch when a board covering the well broke and Emery fell in.

"I was scared. I didn't know what to do. I thought it was a dream," said Larry.

He explained that Emery had been screaming in pain and told him that he thought his arm was broken. Larry got help from neighbors and called 911.

Larry and a neighbor got a flashlight and some rope to help Emery, but it would take the help of several rescue crews to reach him.

"He was down there yelling, saying his arm was broke," Larry said. "I tried to lower him a rope, but he said he couldn't grab it because his arm was broke."

The Lake Cunningham Fire Department took charge of the rescue, which involved lowering two rescuers down, after the first one experienced numbness from the cold.

Ridgeway said that crews needed to add more rope because while they first thought the well was about 75 feet deep, Emery turned out to be closer to 150 feet down. He said that Emery had been wading in water up to his shoulders.

"If it had been an adult, it'd probably kill him," Ridgeway said. "But a child his age has bigger energy to fight a little bit more, because he was talking the whole time to us. He told us about his injuries and everything. So he was a strong young man."

Emery was flown to Greenville Memorial Hospital by helicopter. At the hospital, Emery's brother, Chris Howard, said that his family is thankful to the firefighters and rescue teams.

Emery's family released the following statement shortly before he was released from the hospital Wednesday, "Emery is doing well, and we thank his friend Larry Lindsey and the first responders for their quick actions that saved his life. We are also thankful for the prayers and kind thoughts from many people."

Deputies said the owner of the house will not face charges because the home was properly enclosed and they said they don't plan on charging Emery or Larry for being on the property without permission.

Ann Campbell owns the house where the well was located and said there were "no trespassing" signs posted on the property that is currently vacant and up for rent. She said no one had permission to be there.

"It [the well] was on the inside of a porch, closed in, with the door locked and it had a big heavy cover over it," Campbell said.

She said she is going to get crews to seal the well off with concrete in the next few days.